However, volunteer help and creative scheduling should minimize sequestration's impact on the site's visitor experience, officials said Monday.

The site, where the Revolutionary War's pivotal Battles of Saratoga were fought, is celebrating its 75th anniversary as part of the National Park System.

Advertisement

"I don't think visitors are going to feel the impact," said Gina Johnson, chief of interpretation. "We're relying a lot more on volunteers. We get about 20,000 volunteer hours here each year."

However, the park's main tour road, which opened April 1, now closes at 6 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. to trim overtime costs.

Also, Saratoga Monument and the historic Schuyler House were previously open Wednesday though Sunday. This year, they'll only be open Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October.

Usually, attendance is quite light Wednesday and Thursday anyway, with only a handful of visitors at both places, Johnson said. Most tourists show up on weekends.

Saturday, June 1, one of the highlights of the 2013 season is planned -- the dedication of a new "Sword Surrender" site venue on Route 4 about a half-mile south of the Schuyler House. When completed, the venue will be a new satellite facility for the park, along with the monument and Schuyler House.

The site marks the place where British Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered his sword to American Gen. Horatio Gates in October 1777 following the historic Battles of Saratoga.

"It's the pivotal turning point moment," Johnson said.

A 4-foot by 6-foot bronze sculpture of that event also will be unveiled. The sculpture depicts the scene captured in a famous painting of the surrender, which is on permanent display at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

The date for the dedication also marks the historical park's official 75th birthday. The site joined the National Park System June 1, 1938, during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration.

The park is hosting the following special activities this month:

o May 11 -- Plein aire art session (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) -- Free art day gives local artists interested in visiting the battlefield a chance to explore the park's natural landscape for their art and photography.